Today, I bring you my 2015 NFL Mock Draft- First Round, before the big moves of NFL Free Agency.
2015 NFL Mock Draft Round 1
1. Tampa Bay- Jameis Winston QB Florida State
Mike Glennon is not the answer at quarterback, and head coach Lovie Smith has already gone public saying he isn’t concerned with Winston’s off the field chicanery. Selecting Winston allows Lovie Smith to re-boot and buy some time. Winston already has help in place with Martin and Evans.
2. Tennessee- Randy Gregory OLB/DE Nebraska
This allows the Titans to pair Gregory with Kamerion Wimbley on the outside. This also gives Zach Mettenberger another year to develop. Watch for Jay Cutler to be targeted if released by the Bears.
3. Jacksonville- Leonard Williams DT Southern Cal
With the Jaguars 63.5 M under the cap, look For Gus Bradley to try and land outside linebacker Malcolm Smith and or corner Byron Maxwell in free agency. This pick allows Bradley to complete the inside of his defensive scheme with Ziggy Hood and Sen’Derrick Marks under performing.
4. Oakland- Amari Cooper WR Alabama
Oakland would like to trade down and address their defensive backfield, considering four defensive backs are entering free agency. Instead look for them to help their talented young quarterback and get the best target in the draft in Cooper.
5. Washington- Dante Fowler DE/OLB Florida
The Redskins need a lot of help on all three levels of the defensive side of the ball. Only having 13.3 M in cap space, look for Washington to take the best edge rusher available to replace Brian Orakpo.
6. NYJ- Shane Ray DE Missouri
I really like a trade in this spot, but if the Jets stay put, look for Todd Bowles to address the defensive side especially after acquiring Brandon Marshall from Chicago. The Jets have seven players in the two deep eligible for free agency.
7. Chicago- Trae Waynes CB Michigan State
With Charles Tillman becoming a free agent, look for Ryan Pace to get new head coach, John Fox some help on the outside. Waynes is the best defensive back in this years draft and would address an immediate need in Chicago.
8. Atlanta- Vic Beasley OLB/DE Clemson
Dan Quinn is certainly walking into some issues in Atlanta, with only 23 M to spend and eight players hitting free agency at RB, OT, OLB and CB. Look for Quinn to target a difference maker in Beasley, a player he likens to Bruce Irvin in Seattle.
9. NYG- Arik Armstead DE Oregon
The Giants have shown a history of struggling when selecting offensive line help early, look for them to address this later in draft. With Jason Pierre-Paul franchised, I think the Giants will target his replacement in Armstead.
10. Philadelphia from St. Louis ***TRADE*** – Marcus Mariota QB Oregon
It’s no secret Chip Kelly loves his Oregon guys, already having eight on his Philadelphia roster after recently acquiring Kiko Alonso. Look for Kelly to try and make an aggressive push to land a top quarterback prospect in this years draft in Mariota.
11. Minnesota- Devante Parker WR Louisville
Bridgewater and Parker had a great chemistry while at Louisville. Look for Minnesota to target the impact receiver, giving Bridgewater his go to guy.
12. Cleveland- Kevin White WR West Virginia
For Johnny Manziel to succeed, he needs a play maker on the outside. With Josh Gordon in limbo, White would fill this roll immediately.
13. New Orleans- Shaq Thompson OLB Washington
The Saints are 23 M over the cap, so they may need to make a number of cuts. With Jonathan Goodwin likely headed to free agency, New Orleans will look for an center as well as an upgrade at outside linebacker. Thompson is a versatile player that would make an immediate impact in the Big Easy.
14. Miami- Brandon Schreff OG Iowa
With the Dolphins just 1.6 M under the cap and decisions to make across the offensive line, the versatile Schreff would fill that need and could start at a guard position day 1.
15. San Francisco- Marcus Peters CB Washington
Again another team over the cap. With three wide outs and corners likely to hit free agency, the sure handed Peters could step in and fill a glaring need.
16. Houston- Andrus Peat OT Stanford
Bill O’Brien has proved to be an excellent fit in Houston. Looking forward to a healthy Jadeveon Clowney in 2015, O’Brien will look to the trenches and get the most polished, technically sound offensive tackle in the draft.
17. San Diego- La’el Collins OT LSU
With both Charger centers and an offensive tackle free agency eligible, San Diego selects Collins to protect Phillip Rivers for the foreseeable future.
18. Kansas City- Landon Collins SS Alabama
This is an unfortunate situation in KC considering Eric Berry’s fight with cancer. The Chiefs have two safeties headed towards free agency as well, so look for them to protect themselves by taking the best safety in the draft.
19. Cleveland/ from Buffalo- Danny Shelton DT Washington
Cleveland still runs the 3-4 under second year head coach Mike Pettine. Shelton will give the Browns a 2 gap nose tackle to help against the run in the AFC North.
20. St. Louis from Philadelphia ***TRADE***- T.J. Clemmings OT PITT
The Rams gamble and are still able to take the run/pass combo tackle that Jeff Fischer loves in Clemmings.
21. Cincinatti- Maxx Williams TE Minnesota
All three Bengal tight ends are free agency eligible. Selecting Williams allows Cincinnati to address other needs with their 34 M in cap space while giving Andy Dalton another weapon in the passing game.
22. Pittsburgh- Bud Dupree OLB/DE Kentucky
With Worilds gone to free agency, Dupree is a value pick falling to the Steelers at 22. Dupree would be a great fit for Pittsburgh’s new defensive coordinator Keith Butler. Butler has been with the Steelers since 2003, and was named Pro Football Weekly’s Linebackers Coach of the Year in 2008.
23. Detroit- Eddie Goldman DT Florida State
While the Lions tend to adhere to the best player available philosophy, they could fill a glaring need with Goldman after losing Suh and Fairley.
24. Arizona- Todd Gurley RB Georgia
Arizona has one of the best defenses in the league, even after losing Darnell Dockett. Choosing Gurley shortens the game for the Cardinals and gives Carson Palmer a viable option to hand the ball to.
25. Carolina- Ereck Flowers OT Miami Fla
Both starting offensive tackles are free agents, Flowers helps the Panthers keep their franchise upright in the pocket.
26. Baltimore- Jalen Collins CB LSU
Four corners are set to go into free agency and with the Ravens strapped being only 4 M under the cap, they will address other issues and gamble on the talented Collins.
27. Dallas- Melvin Gordon RB Wisconsin
The Cowboys have 12 free agent eligible players, and I think Doug Free will be retained while DeMarco Murray is let go. Melvin Gordon has the potential to be a difference maker as Murray’s replacement, running behind the outstanding Dallas offensive line.
28. Denver- Devin Funchess WR/TE Michigan
With Julius Thomas, Jacob Tamme and Wes Welker all unrestricted free agents, Denver will need to re-load for Peyton Manning’s 18th season. Funchess can play all three positions in the Broncos offense, tight end, slot and out wide.
29. Indianapolis- Jalen Strong WR Arizona State
With Luck in line for a raise and recently losing Reggie Wayne, selecting the deep threat Strong would make a lot of sense.
30. Green Bay- P.J. Williams CB Florida State
Three corners are in line to hit free agency and I think Green Bay will address their linebacker needs in free agency. Taking the play maker Williams would be an upgrade in their secondary.
31. New England- Benardrick McKinney ILB Miss State
McKinney will give Bill Belichick some flexibility in his defense, inside or out, and bring some youth to a rising defense.
32. Seattle- Gerod Holliman S Louisville
A great cover safety, Holliman can step right into the rotation and be an eventual replacement if Kam Chancellor is not retained in the future.
